Saturday Night Takeaway: The day belongs to dogged Doncaster Rovers as they down leaders Lincoln City

Sometimes it simply is your day.
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And watching Ellery Balcombe stop and grasp his second penalty save of the afternoon was a pretty big indication that this day in particular would belong to Doncaster Rovers.

All the evidence spoke to the contrary. Relentless pressure from hosts Lincoln City - certainly the most dangerous attacking force faced this season - a lack of time on the ball and more than one occasion when Rovers threatened to shoot themselves in the foot.

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But they showed tremendous heart and determination to stand up to all the pressure and emerge with a stunning victory that took them to eight wins from nine in the league.

Ellery Balcombe is congratulated by Rovers team mates at the final whistle of the win over Lincoln. Picture: Craig Brough/AHPIXEllery Balcombe is congratulated by Rovers team mates at the final whistle of the win over Lincoln. Picture: Craig Brough/AHPIX
Ellery Balcombe is congratulated by Rovers team mates at the final whistle of the win over Lincoln. Picture: Craig Brough/AHPIX

If the rest of League One haven’t already sat up and taken notice of Rovers, they will have now.

What they saw would hardly have impressed on the attacking front. Rovers were arguably the poorest they have been on the ball for the last two months. Their inability to hold onto possession only exacerbated the Lincoln pressure and meant they never looked likely to add to Taylor Richards’ 16th minute opener.

In sharp contrast, the hosts produced some wonderful, rapid football, powered by incredible touches that saw the flood forward in number.

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But the deciding factor on the day was an incredible defensive performance from Rovers - and the double heroics of a goalkeeper that only grows in stature.

Ahead of Balcombe was a back line that simply refused to be breached, throwing themselves in front of everything sent their way with bravery and conviction.

The use of Joe Wright again at right back was smart - just as it had been when the two sides met at the Keepmoat earlier in the season - and he ably supported the twin rocks in the middle, as did Cameron John.

The will not to concede forced Lincoln into mistakes as the game wore on, overplaying at times and swiping at chances where they had shown composure earlier in the game.

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It was mistakes from Rovers that looked set to be their downfall. First when Reece James stuck out a tired leg to bring down Jorge Grant. And then when Balcombe inexplicably raced out of his goal and hacked down Tom Hopper, who was on the retreat at the time.

But on both occasions Balcombe was the hero. He clutched Grant’s spot kick in one corner and met Anthony Scully’s at the other, this time with just three minutes left on the clock.

Few victories will ever be as hard fought. Few, for this Rovers side, will ever be earned in such rugged and gritty style.

But as they continue to evolve into a side capable of lasting the course in the promotion race, grit is increasingly the order of the day.

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And as they prepare to face more promotion rivals over the next few weeks, the levels of resolve shown by Darren Moore’s side will not have made for pleasant viewing for the upcoming opposition.

Sometimes it simply is your season. Is this now Rovers’ time?

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In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.